LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A family-owned taco shop in downtown Las Vegas has closed its doors after more than a decade in business, citing immigration fears and rising costs from tariffs.
Pinches Tacos opened its Container Park location over 12 years ago, part of the vision to revitalize downtown Las Vegas, However, owner Javier Anaya explained immigration enforcement and economic pressures have now forced them to shut it down.
“My employees started telling me boss, like we don’t see the amount of Latinos that used to come, and it was a big chunk of our clientele,” Anaya said. “I want to say honestly between 25 to 35% of our clientele.”
Anaya said when that many regulars stop coming, it’s not just the restaurant that suffers – it’s a ripple effect that impacts workers, vendors and immigrant families across the city.
“And that was like the last straw that broke the camel’s back. We sometimes we had more labor than we had sales in days,” he said.
That fear, paired with rising costs from tariffs, pushed the business over the edge. Anaya said key ingredients like meat and avocados have become significantly more expensive.
“We’re paying right now for our asada, I want to say $3 a pound or more. When you’re buying 2000 a pounds a week, that’s extra just $6000 and that you have to spend.”
Even with small price increases, Anaya said the numbers just didn’t add up anymore.
“Never regret it, one moment, although we did close it, it’s still there, I mean, like, I think it’s still there, I think it’s still in people’s minds,” Anaya said.
The closure of the downtown location was a tough decision, but Anaya said for immigrant business owners, it’s a daily battle to stay open.
Pinches Tacos at the Gramercy remains open, and Anaya added they are now shifting focus to catering – but fear in the community is still having a ripple effect.
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
